Read Online Unforgiving Temper by Gail Head - Free Book Online Page B

her
skirt, considering what to say to her father. The resolve to speak
to him as soon as she returned was edged with doubt. Through the
years, her admiration for him had been moderated by his inclination
to avoid anything troublesome. The unwillingness to stand by his
convictions in the face of opposition was a weakness Elizabeth
tried hard to overlook; a weakness she was certain would now be
tested by her mother's blind eye to the faults of a man in a red
coat.
    Squaring her shoulders, she drew in a deep,
fortifying breath from the solitude of her much-loved sanctuary,
then turned to make her way back home.
    Elizabeth moved slowly toward the split birch
that marked the edge of the meadow, too deep in thought to be aware
of the eyes that followed her progress. Coming out from the thick
underbrush into the meadow, she was startled to see the very
subject of her thoughts materialize in front of her.
    “Mr. Wickham!” she cried, quickly
covering her alarm with a lift of her chin.
    “Miss Bennet, what a pleasant
surprise!”
    “A surprise indeed; but to say it is pleasant
is a matter of opinion,” she replied coolly and stepped back,
remembering the unpleasant experience of the night before.
    “I do consider it fortunate we should
meet.”
    “And I consider it peculiar that we should
meet at all at such an early hour.”
    Wickham flashed one of his most charming
smiles. “Very well, then, I confess I have purposely sought you
out. I should like to finish the conversation we started last
evening.”
    “And I do not. You, sir, have wasted your
time in coming all this way. I have nothing more to say to you, and
I pray you importune me no further.”
    Without waiting for a response, Elizabeth
spun away and started across the meadow.
    “It is unfortunate our little meeting on the
terrace was interrupted before I had the opportunity to fully
explain myself. I have a proposal to offer,” Wickham called after
her.
    His astonishing words stopped her in her
tracks and she turned back to him, staring in disbelief. “A
proposal? Surely you do not mean marriage ?”
    “No, I am not speaking of marriage. Quite the
opposite, in fact. I offer you freedom from that obligation which,
given your recent experience, you seem to dislike very much.”
    Elizabeth's temper flashed. “It is fortunate
you do not speak of marriage, sir, for I fail to see where my
interest in matrimony should concern you; especially in light of
your obvious partiality for my sister.”
    “Your sister? Oh, you mean Miss Lydia? She
has nothing to do with this; at least not at present. My proposal
refers to an opportunity for independence. Specifically, I offer
you a most advantageous position with an acquaintance of mine. He
is a respectable gentleman of good family residing in the north
country. He has the care of a young ward who is preparing for her
bow and he seeks young lady of your age and station as companion to
her. It is an excellent opportunity. It would free you from any difficulties with your mother should you wish to refuse any
additional offers of marriage in future.”
    The whole neighborhood knew of her rejecting
Mr. Collins; but she could not help wonder if by some strange
occurrence Mr. Wickham knew of Mr. Darcy's offer. If he
did, it made his appalling proposal all the more offensive. Barely
able to control her mounting indignation, she faced him.
    “How dare you, sir! You would stand in my
father's place? My wedded status, or lack of it, is none of your
concern. Above that, I am a gentleman's daughter, and for you to
suggest that I accept employment is a contemptible
interference!”
    Wickham only smiled. “I am sorry you feel
that way. I thought perhaps a young lady of independent spirit
would welcome an opportunity to have independent means.”
    “You are greatly mistaken, Mr. Wickham.
I have no desire to be independent in such a way. Furthermore, your
behavior gives me liberty to relate my true feelings in this
matter. I do not